Energy & Environment

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“Today’s decision puts the United States squarely on the wrong side of history,” said Courtney. “The United States is the second largest carbon emitter in the world, and the Paris Climate Accord proved that our nation, and the global community as a whole, has recognized that a zero-emissions, clean energy economy is the only path forward for a sustainable, sound future. In Connecticut, we’ve taken this to heart: over half of all electric power generation jobs are in the solar sector—more than natural gas or any other fuel. These jobs are not only going to dominate our economy in the future – they are already a major part of our economy today. Turning our back on the Paris Climate Accord leaves our nation without a seat at the table as the world determines climate and clean energy policies, raises troubling questions about whether our nation stands by its commitments, and undermines states like Connecticut that have longstanding commitments to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.”

“Without this vital funding from the federal government, states would not have the resources at their disposal to preserve and protect these natural spaces,” said Courtney. “The Last Green Valley is an incredible asset to our region. We know that heritage areas actually create local jobs by establishing destinations that people want to visit and vacation nearby, making them a smart investment in both the economy and the natural environment. Moreover, the government funds invested in this program is used to leverage private dollars that provide an enormous value for taxpayers. On average, each $1 invested by the government attracts on average $5 of private investment – and that number if actually much higher for the Last Green Valley. I will continue to fight for funding that is critical to sustaining the Last Green Valley and other National Heritage Areas across the country.”

“Without this vital funding from the federal government, states would not have the resources at their disposal to preserve and protect these natural spaces,” said Courtney. “The Last Green Valley is an incredible asset to our region. We know that heritage areas actually create local jobs by establishing destinations that people want to visit and vacation nearby, making them a smart investment in both the economy and the natural environment. Moreover, the government funds invested in this program is used to leverage private dollars that provide an enormous value for taxpayers. On average, each $1 invested by the government attracts on average $5 of private investment – and that number if actually much higher for the Last Green Valley. I will continue to fight for funding that is critical to sustaining the Last Green Valley and other National Heritage Areas across the country.”

Eastern Connecticut’s economy has always been closely linked with open access to the sea. A vast array of economic activities in our region, ranging from recreational boating to commercial maritime transportation, shipbuilding, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Naval Submarine Base in Groton all rely on transit to and from Long Island Sound. This vital access to the sea requires regular dredging of shipping channels and navigable waterways to sustain passable access to our ports.

“It’s hard to overstate how important dredging and dredging disposal is to the maritime economy across the Long Island Sound region,” said Courtney. “Without the regular dredging of ports and waterways, a vast array of economic activities in our region ranging from recreational boating to commercial maritime transportation, shipbuilding, the Coast Guard Academy, and the submarine base could not function. Today’s publication of the final rule for the eastern Long Island Sound represents the final step in a long process to create environmentally responsible and manageable disposal sites across the entire length of the Sound. This eagerly awaited action follows years of intense environmental reviews, robust public engagement and diligent consideration of all views with regard to the future of dredging in our region. I want to thank the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their hard work throughout this process."

“Long Island Sound is a biological treasure, and protecting its fragile ecosystem begins away from the shoreline along our rivers and tributaries,” said Courtney. “The Sound is home to a rich assortment of plant and animal species that we need to protect for generations to come. I want to thank the Nature Conversancy for their unwavering commitment to protecting our local environment, and Essex First Selectman Norm Needleman for his continued support of local conservation efforts.”

“This funding will give Putnam the tools to upgrade its water structure in order to enhance its water quality and generate new opportunities for economic development,” said Courtney. “The late town administrator Doug Cutler, who internally led the Water Pollution Control Authority before passing unexpectedly this year, was instrumental in crafting the town’s application for this loan just as he was with so many previous ones in the past. This award is another example of the huge footprint Doug has left in the Quiet Corner in terms of development projects that were carried out with funding that he helped to secure to grow this community he loved so much.”

"Without access to an ELDS, it is expected that transporting dredged materials to other sites, like the Rhode Island Disposal Site, will increase carbon emissions from ships and risk of dredged material spills as transport distance is extended,” wrote the members. “Moreover, the use of the Rhode Island Sound Disposal Site's limited capacity for Long Island Sound dredging will have cascading effects on projects throughout Southern New England. Our states have been responsibly dredging in eastern Long Island Sound for over 30 years, which was recently confirmed with an A- rating on the 2016 Long Island Sound Report Card.

“As representatives from the region, we understand firsthand the importance of preserving and protecting the environment in and around the Sound for future generations to enjoy,” wrote the members. “The environmental soundness of Long Island Sound dredging is a clear focus of the ELDS. The proposed rule is consistent with the federally-approved Coastal Zone Management Plans for New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Furthermore, it should be noted that without access to the ELDS, it is expected that transporting dredged materials to other sites, like the Rhode Island Disposal Site, will increase carbon emissions from ships and risk of dredged material spills as transport distance is extended. Our states have been responsibly dredging using open-water placement for 35 years and we believe that swift adoption of the ELDS, along with an increased effort to find sustainable on-land solutions for suitable dredged materials, will provide the Long Island Sound region with a balanced approach for future waterway maintenance projects."

“We cannot allow small communities and municipalities across this country to fall into financial distress because of congressional gridlock which is holding up the establishment of a federal nuclear waste storage facility,” said Courtney. “Our bill will compensate local communities that have become de facto interim storage locations for toxic nuclear waste until a centralized storage location can be opened. This bill is an acknowledgement that communities like Haddam deserve restitution for storing spent nuclear fuel long after the federal government committed to taking on the burden.“